Hi Tweeters,

The refuge was wet this morning with intermittent showers, temperature in
the 50?s, as 17 of enjoyed another busy spring. Starting at 8am at the
Visitor Center Pond Overlook we saw Cliff Swallow, Tree Swallow, Barn
Swallow, Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, Cedar
Waxwing, European Starling, American Robin, Wood Duck hen with at least 6
chicks, Marsh Wren and American Bittern. Many birders spotted a Northern
Flicker, feeding along the entrance road.

Out across the parking lot and along the access road we added Northern
Rough-winged Swallow, a second Wood Duck hen with at least 3 chicks,
Savannah Sparrow, Glaucous-winged Gull, Brown-headed Cowbird and
Black-tailed Deer. From the old McAllister Creek road overlook we could
spot Gadwall and Cinnamon Teal in the slightly flooded fields, and American
Crow.

Heading out on the western side of the boardwalk, we saw Yellow Warbler, a
female Hooded Merganser flying around, Willow Flycatcher, Western Wood
Peewee, Bewick?s Wren, heard many Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Brown Creeper.
A highlight was the good view of a large/plump green female Anna?s
Hummingbird, which is unusual to see at the refuge. Out toward the Twin
Barns and the Twin Barns Overlook we saw Bald Eagle, Rock Pigeon, many more
Swallows, and a Vaux?s Swift, great looks at Willow Flycatcher and Swainson?
s Thrush calling, and American Goldfinch. Unfortunately we could not find
the Catbird seen last week along the north boardwalk, but we did manage to
find many Rufous Hummingbird, Band Tail Pigeon, more American Goldfinch, and
Spotted Towhee.

At the Nisqually River Overlook we had an additional Bald Eagle, Bush Tits,
Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black-capped Chickadee and female Belted
Kingfisher. Out on the new dike in the repaired riparian area immediately
to the right we had Killdeer, a female Common Merganser and Violet -green
Swallow. Along the inside of the new dike we had wonderful views Canada
Geese and Mallards with young, Greater Yellowlegs, female Wilson?s
Phalarope, probably 5 Sora and a Virginia Rail. We also saw American Coot
and Great Blue Heron.

On our back along the east boardwalk that runs parallel to the old Nisqually
River dike we discovered a 3rd hen Wood Duck with at least 9 ducklings,
Eastern Grey Squirrel, and observed a Western Wood-peewee sitting on a nest
50 feet above the area at the Riparian Overlook cut off.

Mother nature ended the walk with lightning and thunder. It seems the last
3 weeks the heavy rains have come at the end of our walks. However, without
the guidance of our intrepid leader, Phil Kelley, over the last three weeks,
some force has been required to move us along. We saw high numbers of Cedar
Waxwing, and Savannah Sparrow, many Yellow Warblers and Willow Flycatchers,
terrific looks at Sora and Virginia Rail totaling 51 species for the day.
Until next week, when Phil hopes to return,

Great birding!
Shep Thorp

Shep Thorp, VMD
Member, LLC
The Animal Emergency Clinic
Puget Sound Veterinary Referral Center, PLLC
Tacoma, WA 98409
253-474-0791 ~ fax 253-474-6057
http://www.theaec.com/ <http://www.theaec.com/>

mailto:sthorp at theaec.com <mailto:sthorp at theaec.com>
mailto:tanwaxlake at comcast.net <mailto:tanwaxlake at comcast.net>
cell #: 253-370-3742